August - September 2011

We made the move from Texas early in August. Every time we move, we come to the conclusion that "larger" families were not taken into consideration when moving trucks were built. No matter how strategically our furniture and boxes are loaded (so as to maximize every inch of available space, we always ALWAYS end up with "stuff" crammed to the roof and up to the very back door of the truck.....all threatening to tumble out if anyone dares raise that overhead door!



This particular time we traveled with 2 small dogs and a German Shepherd. They were uncommonly well behaved, but having them along did increase the scope of consideration when making typically-routine stops for fuel, bathroom breaks or eating lunch! We took the journey in 2 days, stopping in Little Rock, AR, for the overnight stay. We always stay in a Hampton Inn, because of the free full breakfast, the very comfortable beds, and the extra points we earn toward future hotel stays (because of our membership with them). By checking beforehand, we knew that the only Hampton/Hilton-chain hotel in the area which allowed dogs was a slightly upscale Embassy Suites close to downtown Little Rock. So that's what we secured. When we got there (finally!), we found a gorgeous place with waterfalls, fish pools, glass elevators, and full restaurants in the lobby. And in we trekked....all 9 of us, with as little luggage as possible, the necessary dog crates, and 3 dogs on leashes. We tried to keep a low profile, and thankfully, there was no uprising! :) There were plenty of other people there with dogs, and ours behaved nicely. What a relief!

This was around 5:00 pm, and everyone was, of course, HUNGRY! While I was making a mental list of what to go out and purchase for supper, one of the girls noticed the "room service menu". It looked pretty normal, offering pizza, burgers, and then a whole array of other more ritzy options. Johnny preferred that I NOT leave...so we ordered burgers and fries and fruit for all! Much to everyone's delight, it was delivered by a professional waiter in a bow tie, and with all the air of elegance he could muster.....The food arrived on beautiful china plates covered with silver domes to keep it all hot....and real silverware and white linens! The childrens' milk came in goblets.....and it was a beautiful feast much enjoyed by all! Much fun and a memory I treasure! I think the convenience and the delight and the fun were more a gift to me than anyone! Of course the bill was horrendously high, but well worth it!

We landed in Alabama, and spent a restful weekend with Toby and Beverly. The following week we headed up north to visit family/friends we hadn't seen in a couple years. We stayed with Sam/April....and their beautiful children.

The "twin cousins"...Abby and Allison.










Lots of fun there with the bikes, frisbee golf, bonfires, table games, playground equipment! But when Sam allowed the girls to use his wood shop to tinker and make things, they were deeeee-lighted! One night they were out there til midnight just sanding and painting, and designing all sorts of cute things out of wood.









We went to the fair one day, shopped at all the fabulous local thrift stores, and the guys got a few afternoons of mountain biking. I think Johnny's hooked on THAT!

Out intention was to take a few days and travel up to Michigan to see Daddy and the "northern Reeds", but Shelley very kindly had 3 of her older boys bring Daddy down to Indiana for about 4 days. It saved us a lot of extra driving, and it was soooooo nice to spend time with Daddy and Mother in Crete!

They came over to Sam/April's house several times too. Much much fun. Daddy still has his sense of humor, and loves to muddle the lines between coherence and incoherence. :) For instance, one afternoon he was completely aware of all that was going on around him, and had been having normal conversations with me for some time. Then I thought I'd help him get closer to the table...to eat his food more conveniently. However, this involved picking his foot/leg up and replacing it, as it was crossed over the other. I moved it ever so carefully, but he proceeded to let out a huge yell of "OOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWW!" I set it down and looked at him with a quizzical look, and then started laughing! I said, "That didn't hurt you one bit....you are such a faker!" He started chuckling and said something about doing whatever it took to get sympathy. So from then on throughout the week I teased him about being a big fake, which he found quite humorous. Savannah has always loved "Panka" as she calls him, and while she's not real friendly with most men, has always loved sitting on his lap. I love these pictures. :)

We had several visits with Mother. The children enjoyed playing Chinese checkers with her and seeing her beautiful gardens and hearing her exclamations about their latest creations.





So we missed seeing Shelley and most of her family, but saw 3 of their boys.



We also saw John/Chrissie and their children, and Craig/Kim and their children at the Arnolds' house. The day we went to visit there, we (April, me, and some of our girls) they were hosting a large outdoor party for many of their friends in the community. So, some of the children got to take rides in a hot air balloon, they played with cousins, we all enjoyed some great food, and then saw a fabulous fireworks display! Afterwards, we let off some Chinese Sky Lanterns, which was a first for us.....and loads of fun!

Consequently, we let off pink Sky Lanterns later in the week at Sam/April's house, in memory of Kaylie! Those lanterns are such a beautiful sight as they go up, and so much fun for children, as well as adults.

We also spent an afternoon at David/Tracy's house, where all the cousins played and played and took loads of great pictures! Always so fun to be at their little farm. There's never enough time!

We were so glad to squeeze in a short visit with the Coopers as well....where we met a pygmy hedgehog for the first time! Sooooo cute!



Now we're back in Alabama, and while our original intention was to land near Franklin, TN, it appears that this area of AL where we lived originally is "home" to our family, and no one has a strong interest of looking elsewhere! I still say I'd love to live in the Franklin area some day, but for now, we're pretty happy here. So, we are in the process of finding our new home.

Obviously we lived "in the city" in Texas, so we got to experience suburban life, to which there are some nice advantages....such as the convenience of getting to any sort of shopping you'd like within 15-20 minutes. It was also fun for the kids to ride their bikes and skate on the endless sidewalks in our subdivision. We enjoyed getting to visit things in the big city more easily too. We had fabulous neighbors all around us in Texas. Somehow our kids wove their way into the hearts of those around us, and people on our street were sad to see the big family with all the kids moving away! On the day we moved, they all came over and gave us their addresses/phone #s and cell #s so that we'd keep in contact with them. All in all, it was a good, fun year. Yet, we're glad to be back in the country. We missed country life. The children spend as much of their spare time as possible building fancy forts in the woods (on the ground and up in the trees!), 4-wheeling, getting dirty while catching frogs in the creek, exploring, and building stuff in sand. The slower pace and the lack of traffic is much to our liking as well. I personally enjoyed our year in Texas very much. It was a good year...but I'm also glad to be back in the country. :)